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Shaving is a routine many of us follow during our showers, but the right cream can make all the difference. A quality zero waste shaving cream not only minimizes the risk of razor burn and ingrown hairs but also nourishes the skin with healthy ingredients while reducing single-use packaging—goodbye plastic! Every step we take towards a more sustainable bathroom routine is a leap towards a greener future! Say hello to smooth, silky skin!
Our Top Picks for Zero Waste Shaving Cream
- Ethique
- etee
- Jungle Culture
- Beauty By Earth
- Buck Naked Soap Co.
- Hippiecraft
- Leaf Shave
- DIY Shaving Balm
Zero Waste Shaving Cream Brands We Adore
We have handpicked brands that offer a variety of products including bar soaps, oils, and creams, ensuring that each one is infused with beneficial skincare ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, coconut butter, and essential oils. Plus, we even offer an unscented option for those sensitive to fragrances. At the end of this article, we delve into ingredients to avoid in shaving creams and explain how we select the best options.
1. Ethique
Good for: All Skin Types
Standout Ingredients: Peppermint Oil & Kaolin Clay
Price: $15.99
We absolutely love Ethique’s multipurpose products! Their Solid Shampoo Bar and Shaving Bar are perfect for those who want to minimize plastic use while pampering their skin and hair. This brand is a go-to recommendation because of its commitment to purity and quality.
Featuring revitalizing citrus and peppermint oils, this shaving cream excels in both quality and performance. One bar equates to three shampoo bottles and lasts for up to 80 uses. Peppermint helps stimulate circulation, providing a cooling effect followed by a gentle warmth, making it a great choice for men’s shaving routines. Additionally, organic cocoa butter and coconut oil work to soften and restore the skin post-shave, while kaolin clay prevents clogged pores by absorbing excess oil.
Ethique is not only vegan and cruelty-free but also certified palm oil-free, ensuring a responsible product for your skincare routine.
About Ethique
Originating from New Zealand, Ethique takes sustainability to the next level, sourcing all ingredients to be non-toxic and ethically produced. As a Certified B Corp, they maintain high standards of performance, accountability, and transparency. All products come in plastic-free packaging, contributing to a healthier planet.
Things We Love ❤️
- High-Quality Ingredients
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Palm Oil-Free
- Sustainable Sourcing
- Innovative Packaging
2. etee
Good for: All Skin Types
Standout Ingredients: Castor Oil & Bentonite Clay
Price: $9
Sometimes great things come in small packages, and etee’s zero waste organic shave bar is a prime example. This plant-based bar is packed with nourishing ingredients like Organic Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Cocoa Butter, and essential oils such as Black Spruce and Cedarwood.
Castor oil creates a protective barrier on the skin, helping to prevent razor burn and leaving your skin feeling smooth and hydrated. This bar is free from sulfates, parabens, harsh chemicals, and animal testing!
About etee
Hailing from Toronto, etee is a brand we’ve come to love for their commitment to sustainability. Their packaging is environmentally friendly, utilizing recycled, compostable, or biodegradable materials wherever possible.
What We Love ❤️
- High-Quality Ingredients
- Cruelty-Free
- Sustainable Sourcing
- Environmentally Friendly Packaging
Good to Know 🧐
- Vegan
- Palm Oil-Free
3. Jungle Culture
Good for: Sensitive Skin
Standout Ingredients: Aloe Vera & Charcoal
Price: $16
Jungle Culture’s solid shaving soap bars are perfect for those on a budget, hand-crafted in Vietnam using locally sourced organic coconut oil and high-quality essential oils. Choose from two delightful options:
- Aloe Vera & Cooling Mint Shave Bar – Combines mint extract with soothing aloe vera for an uplifting shaving experience.
- Charcoal & Cracked Black Pepper Shaving Soap – Blends moisturizing charcoal with invigorating black pepper to cleanse and exfoliate while shaving.
Aloe and charcoal are renowned for leaving skin silky soft, and depending on usage, this bar can last up to a year!
About Jungle Culture
This online shop is a treasure trove for zero waste enthusiasts, offering everything from bathroom essentials to kitchenware, most of which are plastic-free. Their commitment to ethical sourcing is commendable, and you can even meet the artisans behind their products on their website.
Things We Love ❤️
- High-Quality Ingredients
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Palm Oil-Free
- Sustainable Sourcing
- Better Packaging
4. Beauty By Earth
Good for: All Skin Types
Standout Ingredients: Cocoa Seed Butter
Price: $12.99
Beauty By Earth’s zero waste shaving soap is infused with shea butter, cocoa seed butter, sunflower, and safflower seed oil, all of which are beneficial for healing the skin. Cocoa seed butter serves as a protective barrier to lock in moisture and keep your skin soft.
Enriched with a light scent of lavender and Ylang Ylang, this shaving soap is free from unwanted sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic dyes or fragrances. It is USDA-certified organic, though it does contain sustainably sourced palm oil.
About Beauty By Earth
Leaping-Bunny certified with an excellent rating from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Beauty By Earth is also plastic neutral, partnering with rePurpose Global to offset the environmental impacts of plastics in their supply chain.
What We Love ❤️
- High-Quality Ingredients
- Cruelty-Free
- Vegan
- Sustainable Sourcing
Good to Know 🧐
- Palm Oil-Free
- Better Packaging
5. Buck Naked Soap Co.
Good for: All Skin Types
Standout Ingredients: Cocoa Seed Butter
Price: $12.99
For a unique alternative to traditional shaving products, consider Buck Naked’s Canadian Glacial Clay Shaving Soap. This product is formulated with nourishing oils designed to soften hair follicles, making shaving a breeze. The clay serves as a natural treatment, toning the skin and promoting circulation while gently exfoliating. Simply scoop out a bit, lather with water, and apply to your legs for a smooth shave.
Socially and environmentally responsible, Buck Naked sources its ingredients ethically, including shea butter from the Global Shea Alliance. The product is lightly scented with cedar and sage essential oils, and it’s vegan, cruelty-free, and palm oil-free. Plus, the packaging is eco-friendly, utilizing a recyclable metal tin.
About Buck Naked Soap Co.
This brand champions equality by partnering with the One Drop Foundation, committing 2% of annual profits and 10% of sales from their Ripple Effect line to improve access to clean water for marginalized communities globally.
Things We Love ❤️
- High-Quality Ingredients
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Palm Oil-Free
- Sustainable Sourcing
- Better Packaging
6. Hippiecraft
Good for: All Skin Types + Acne Prone Skin
Standout Ingredients: Handmade Castile Soap, Aloe Vera Gel, Sweet Almond Oil
Price: $11
The Hippiecraft Foaming Shave Cream is a standout product that comes in a reusable glass mason jar, perfect for refilling or repurposing. Available in delightful scents like lavender and rosemary mint, this cream includes handmade liquid castile soap, organic oils, and essential oils, all designed to be gentle and nourishing for the skin.
Castile soap is particularly effective for all skin types and is great for those with acne-prone skin due to its antibacterial properties.
About Hippiecraft
This small local seller on Etsy specializes in eco-friendly bath and body care, crafting everything by hand with organic and natural ingredients, free from harmful chemicals and artificial additives.
Things We Love ❤️
- High-Quality Ingredients
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Palm Oil-Free
- Sustainable Sourcing
- Better Packaging
7. Leaf Shave
Good for: All Skin Types
Standout Ingredients: Vitamin E & Sunflower Oil
Price: $19
Leaf Shave offers a unique oil that locks in moisture and softens hair for a smoother shave. This unisex product can be applied to any part of the body and is formulated with a blend of five beneficial oils and Vitamin E, which helps reduce inflammation and irritation.
This unscented oil is simple to use—apply a few drops to wet skin before shaving, and you will experience lasting hydration afterward. The packaging is eco-friendly, with glass and aluminum components that can be recycled or repurposed.
About Leaf Shave
Leaf Shave is dedicated to creating sustainable shaving solutions, aiming to prevent millions of disposable plastic razors from ending up in landfills. Their practices include plastic-free packaging and shipping, as well as actively offsetting their carbon footprint.
Things We Love ❤️
- High-Quality Ingredients
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Palm Oil-Free
- Sustainable Sourcing
- Better Packaging
8. DIY Zero Waste Shaving Cream
Image: The Eco Hub
Creating your own skincare products can significantly reduce waste and save money! This DIY shaving balm is not only effective but also healing for the skin. It’s crafted with simple, easily sourced ingredients that hydrate and protect the skin during shaving.
This recipe includes essential oils known for their skin benefits. For example, sandalwood essential oil offers soothing properties, while neroli essential oil helps balance skin oils and reduce irritations. German chamomile is excellent for calming sensitive skin.
Using a combination of coconut oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, shea butter, and carnauba wax, this creamy balm offers a smooth shaving experience without the foaming agents found in commercial products.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 1 tsp Grapeseed Oil
- 1 tbsp Sunflower Oil
- 1 tsp Carnauba Wax
- 1 tsp Shea Nut Butter
- 4 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil
- 4 drops Neroli Essential Oil
- 1 drop German Chamomile Essential Oil
Instructions:
Step 1: Melt the oils, wax, and butter in a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water to create a double boiler.
Step 2: Once melted, remove from heat, and add the essential oils as the mixture cools.
Step 3: Pour the liquid into a sterilized jar and let it cool for about an hour. The balm will change color as it sets.
How to Use This DIY Shaving Balm:
- In the shower, let warm water run over your legs to soften the skin and open pores.
- Apply the balm directly to the skin, using as much as you feel comfortable with.
- Use short strokes while shaving, applying gentle pressure.
- Rinse and dry your legs.
- Follow up with a good moisturizer.
Recipe Notes:
Recommended for: All skin types
Usage: Ideal for shaving needs
Always perform a patch test before trying new products. If pregnant, consult your doctor about the use of essential oils.
Ingredients to Avoid in Shaving Creams
Beware of being greenwashed by shaving creams that highlight natural ingredients like sunflower oil or aloe while still containing harmful additives like formaldehyde-releasing DMDM hydantoin, BHA, and triclosan. Here are some ingredients to avoid:
1. Propylene Glycol
Derived from petroleum, propylene glycol is commonly found in industrial products like anti-freeze and brake fluid. It forms a barrier on the skin that strips natural oils, leading to dryness.
2. Mineral Oil
Also petroleum-derived, mineral oil can contain carcinogenic compounds and creates an impenetrable layer on the skin that prevents toxin release, leading to clogged pores and dryness over time.
3. Propellants
Chemicals like butane and propane are used in aerosol cans and can dehydrate the skin, contributing to premature aging and health issues when exposed regularly. Additionally, VOCs from aerosol products pose environmental concerns.
How Do We Choose the Best Zero Waste Shaving Creams?
In selecting the best sustainable skincare products, we prioritize:
Good Ingredients: Products made from high-quality, natural ingredients that won’t harm you or the environment are essential. Certified organic ingredients are preferred, as they are free from harmful chemicals.
Vegan: We favor products that contain no animal-derived ingredients.
Cruelty-Free: We avoid any products tested on animals.
Palm Oil-Free: Given the ethical and environmental issues surrounding palm oil production, we recommend avoiding it whenever possible.
Sustainably Sourced: Choose products that are not only safe for us but also for the planet and the people involved in their production.
Better Packaging: We prefer products packaged in compostable, recyclable, or reusable materials.
A Final Word on Low Waste Shaving Creams
While hair removal may not be the most enjoyable aspect of self-care, we hope that the recommendations provided above will enhance your shaving experience while being kind to the planet. If you found this article helpful, please share it to help others make sustainable choices! 😊
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